Speak Fluent Chinese
34 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago -Speak Fluent Chinese with Tristan is an easy and enjoyable show that makes your Chinese learning experiences fun. This is where you improve your Chinese fluency to the next level, and learn to speak just like fast speaking natives. Full video version of every episode is available on Skillshare, you can get a one month free premium access from here: https://www.skillshare.com/r/user/tristanz Enjoy!
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Episodes
Vocabulary 1-9 来: Come, Towards, Future, Roughly and Ever Since
January 20, 2022 08:00 - 8 minutes - 5.56 MB你是落在我世界里的一束光 向我奔来，万物都生长 You are a beam of light that shines upon my world. When you run toward me, you give everything life. When this new song, 落在生命里的光, the light shines in my life, was released in November 2021, it took over the internet overnight. And today, let’s talk about something very important that appears in the lyrics, the character 来, it’s a top 15 Chinese word. The reason why this character ranks number 15, is that it has quite a few flexible uses and it is everywhere in Chine...
Film Chinese Ep.4: Dying to Survive (2018 Feature Film)
January 10, 2022 23:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBOpening Song 只要平凡 也许很远或是昨天 在这里或在对岸 长路辗转离合悲欢 人聚又人散 放过对错才知答案 活着的勇敢 没有神的光环 Maybe it’s a long time ago, maybe yesterday Maybe it’s here or it’s on the other side The long roads twist and turn, with joys and sorrows People gather and scatter Let go of right and wrong to know the answer Living with bravery But without the auras of the Gods Introduction This is the theme song of Dying to Survive, a feature film based on a true story, in which an entrepreneur, who is diagnosed with leukemia, chall...
Vocabulary 1-8 看: Look, Visit, Consider, Take Care, Treat & Guard
December 29, 2021 19:00 - 7 minutes - 5.01 MBAnd today, we are learning the number 8 most important characters in HSK Level 1, 看, another polyphonic character. Its first pronunciation is 看, pinyin spelling kan with a fourth tone. First, it means to see, to look at, to read, to watch, to observe. It is the most fundamental and most frequently used meaning of this character, and in the opening song (你是人间四月天), it says: 盼望每天都看到你，I look forward to seeing you every day. So 看到你, to see you. Watch television, 看电视, 电视 is television. Read a boo...
Vocabulary 1-7 和: Harmony, To be with, Echo, Mix and Blend
December 24, 2021 21:00 - 7 minutes - 5.44 MB我的山楂树之恋，只有是和你才会纯洁。 Hi guys, welcome back to the show, and Merry Christmas. In this holiday season, it’s the best time to learn this character we are going to talk about today. A character that represents, harmony, peace, and being together. As you hear in the opening song, love of hawthorn tree, 山楂树之恋 is a very poplar movie inspired by a novel, and because of its popularity, this phrase in Chinese culture means pure love. And it is going to be very interesting because this character is a p...
Vocabulary 1-6 回: To Return, Circle, Answer and Respond.
December 20, 2021 12:00 - 6 minutes - 4.41 MBHi guys, Merry Christmas, and I wish you a happy 2022. Welcome back. Today, let’s talk about a new Character following the HSK vocabulary, number six, 回. In the opening song 多情种, the character 回 is in a word, 回忆, it means the memory, and the character itself actually means to get back, or to return. Essentially, it’s saying, to look back to the past, that’s why it’s memory. And similarly, there are other words like 回顾, 顾 means to look around, so 回顾 is review. 回头, 头 is the head, so 回头 is to ...
Vocabulary 1-5 会: Will, Capable, To meet & Understanding.
December 14, 2021 22:00 - 7 minutes - 5.18 MBToday we are going to talk about another polyphonic character that has two pronunciations, 会. In the opening song (可能否), it means will, it indicates something that is going to happen, in such a case, it is an auxiliary verb, which means it must be used together with another verb, the main verb, otherwise it doesn’t make sense. 可能我撞了南墙才会回头吧, Maybe I won't turn back until I hit the south wall. To turn back is the main verb, and this auxiliary verb is used to describe the certainty of this ac...
Vocabulary 1-4 多: More, Unnecessary & To a certain extend.
December 08, 2021 20:00 - 7 minutes - 5.04 MBToday, we are going to learn this character in this piece of lyrics, the character 多, our fourth level 1 character. It has 4 different meanings. First, it means more, much, or many 众多, many people 多年, many years In Chinese, there is no countable and uncountable noun, so there is not multiple characters like in English for each type, like we have many and much, so it’s the same. And when adding this character 多 in front of something, it becomes a new thing that has its independent meaning, i...
Vocabulary 1-3 都: Entirety, Even, Already & Because
December 07, 2021 19:00 - 6 minutes - 4.75 MBThe opening song, 一路生花, blooming all the way, is a Chinese phrase that people use to wish a wonderful life. So I wish all you guys, 一路生花. This is the third vocabulary episode, and I am so keen to get your feedback, so if you could spare some time and drop me a note at [email protected] to share your thoughts, that is going to be so helpful to me to improve the show, I am looking forward to your messages. And today, let’s keep following the Chinese alphabet and get to our 3rd level 1 ch...
Vocabulary 1-2 本: Root, Origin & Self
December 06, 2021 11:00 - 6 minutes - 4.28 MB是否对你承诺了太多 还是我原本给的就不够 The lyric says: Did I promise too much Or did I not give you enough in the first place In here, 本 is that word that people use to describe the root cause of something that is happening now. So, today let’s expand your vocabulary with this character, 本, the root, the source and the self. The character has 3 layers of meanings, the first one is the root of plants, the words: 本草纲目 and 无本之木 are both referred back this original meaning. And this character over time derive...
Vocabulary 1-1 爱: Love
December 05, 2021 09:00 - 7 minutes - 5.15 MB爱着你，像心跳，难触摸； 画着你，画不出你的骨骼； Hi, fellows, welcome back. Today we are going to build your vocabulary with this word, love, 爱. Alphabetically, this is the very first word in HSK 1, so it’s a good start to build your vocabulary with love. The full song could be found here. Please find the following words, synonyms and antonyms mentioned in this episode. For its first meaning, to love, here are the derived words. 爱情, romantic love. 爱心, compassion. 母爱, maternal love. 疼爱, to love dearly. 博爱, unive...
Vocabulary 1-1. Love 爱
December 05, 2021 09:00 - 7 minutes - 5.15 MB爱着你，像心跳，难触摸； 画着你，画不出你的骨骼； Hi, fellows, welcome back. Today we are going to build your vocabulary with this word, love, 爱. Alphabetically, this is the very first word in HSK 1, so it’s a good start to build your vocabulary with love. The full song could be found here. Please find the following words, synonyms and antonyms mentioned in this episode. For its first meaning, to love, here are the derived words. 爱情, romantic love. 爱心, compassion. 母爱, maternal love. 疼爱, to love dearly. 博爱, unive...
Mastering Pinyin, Part 2
November 27, 2021 23:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MBHappy thanksgiving! This is the second part of the Mastering Pinyin series where we focus on the Chinese Phonetic Alphabet, the basic pronunciation elements of the Chinese language, among 23 initials, today we are going to cover the rest of 15 initials and some techniques to get the right easier. The opening song is a phenomenal single called 错位时空, here's the full song. The opening lyrics are: 填不满半排观众的电影 直到散场时突然亮起灯 字幕定格在某某出品和发行 我目送他们行色匆匆 像个自不量力的复读生 完不成金榜题名的使命 命不是猜剪刀石头布的决定 那么任性 我吹过你吹过的晚风 那我们...
Skill Talk 6: Mastering Pinyin, Part 2
November 27, 2021 23:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MBHappy thanksgiving! This is the second part of the Mastering Pinyin series where we focus on the Chinese Phonetic Alphabet, the basic pronunciation elements of the Chinese language, among 23 initials, today we are going to cover the rest of 15 initials and some techniques to get the right easier. The opening song is a phenomenal single called 错位时空, here's the full song. The opening lyrics are: 填不满半排观众的电影 直到散场时突然亮起灯 字幕定格在某某出品和发行 我目送他们行色匆匆 像个自不量力的复读生 完不成金榜题名的使命 命不是猜剪刀石头布的决定 那么任性 我吹过你吹过的晚风 那我们...
Mastering Pinyin, Part 1
November 23, 2021 10:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBThis is the first part of the Mastering Pinyin series where we focus on the Chinese Phonetic Alphabet, the basic pronunciation elements of the Chinese language, among 23 initials, 24 finals, and 16 whole-syllables, today we will start with the first 8 initials. And also, we will talk about how to effectively practice them to improve your Chinese pronunciations. The opening song is a recent popular single called 一花一世界, here's the full song. The opening lyrics are: 钻戒的印痕纪念缺憾的梦 苍白的那一圈抹不去种种 数的星...
Skill Talk 5: Mastering Pinyin, Part 1
November 23, 2021 10:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBThis is the first part of the Mastering Pinyin series where we focus on the Chinese Phonetic Alphabet, the basic pronunciation elements of the Chinese language, among 23 initials, 24 finals, and 16 whole-syllables, today we will start with the first 8 initials. And also, we will talk about how to effectively practice them to improve your Chinese pronunciations. The opening song is a recent popular single called 一花一世界, here's the full song. The opening lyrics are: 钻戒的印痕纪念缺憾的梦 苍白的那一圈抹不去种种 数的星...
Skill Talk 4: The Complete Chinese Learning Guide
November 20, 2021 00:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBIn a sea of too much content, information, and misinformation, a zillion online courses, how do you effectively learn Chinese? Today, let’s talk about the two things you need to set your Chinese learning to success, and by the end of this episode, you will have a clear roadmap, starting as a beginner and ending up well on your way to fluency. As usual, this is the lyrics of the opening song, one of my favorites, 声声慢 performed by 西彬. 屋檐洒雨滴 炊烟袅袅起 蹉跎辗转宛然的你 在哪里 You could find the full song here.
The Complete Chinese Learning Guide
November 20, 2021 00:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBIn a sea of too much content, information, and misinformation, a zillion online courses, how do you effectively learn Chinese? Today, let’s talk about the two things you need to set your Chinese learning to success, and by the end of this episode, you will have a clear roadmap, starting as a beginner and ending up well on your way to fluency. As usual, this is the lyrics of the opening song, one of my favorites, 声声慢 performed by 西彬. 屋檐洒雨滴 炊烟袅袅起 蹉跎辗转宛然的你 在哪里 You could find the full song here.
ListeningDrill: Goodbye Mr. Loser Movie Review
November 17, 2021 11:00 - 13 minutes - 9.39 MBIntroducing ListeningDrill, a new format of the show. In a ListeningDrill episode, I will read to you a piece of complete content, from what I can access, I will select something that fits into the intermedia level range, matching the HSK Level 3 to level 5 difficulties on average. This will greatly help you get exposed to the authentic Chinese content that is created for the Chinese people, and also help you explore the interests that you use to build up your learning environment, an auth...
ListeningDrill 1: Goodbye Mr. Loser Movie Review
November 17, 2021 11:00 - 13 minutes - 9.39 MBIntroducing ListeningDrill, a new format of the show. In a ListeningDrill episode, I will read to you a piece of complete content, from what I can access, I will select something that fits into the intermedia level range, matching the HSK Level 3 to level 5 difficulties on average. This will greatly help you get exposed to the authentic Chinese content that is created for the Chinese people, and also help you explore the interests that you use to build up your learning environment, an auth...
Film Chinese Ep.3: Goodbye Mr. Loser (2015 Comedy)
November 12, 2021 23:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBThis episode is packed with great materials for you to speak more natural Chinese, and we are going to learn from the best Chinese comedy in the recent decade, Goodbye Mr. Loser. The movie clip is a scenario of the guy and the girl meeting up again in the alternative life, and we are going to learn how to greet a long lost friend in the best way for the Chinese. And of course, beside the new words, we are also going to learn two extremely critical pieces of grammar. One: The Ba-construction...
Film Chinese: Goodbye Mr. Loser (2015 Comedy)
November 12, 2021 23:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBThis episode is packed with great materials for you to speak more natural Chinese, and we are going to learn from the best Chinese comedy in the recent decade, Goodbye Mr. Loser. The movie clip is a scenario of the guy and the girl meeting up again in the alternative life, and we are going to learn how to greet a long lost friend in the best way for the Chinese. And of course, beside the new words, we are also going to learn two extremely critical pieces of grammar. One: The Ba-construction...
Skill Talk 3: Get Yourself a GREAT Chinese Name
November 10, 2021 02:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBThe Great Charlemagne once said, “to have another language is to possess another soul.” So in this episode, let's talk about how to get you a great start of the journey of learning Chinese: getting a great Chinese name. Let’s talk about how to get a Chinese name, and most importantly, what makes your Chinese name great. Here's the opening lyrics: 银辉描淡的石桥 桥边嬉戏的垂髫 风吹枝柳折细腰 童谣声声伴长吆 The full version of the opening song could be found here with the full lyrics. And here is the Chinese surname ca...
Get Yourself a GREAT Chinese Name
November 10, 2021 02:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBThe Great Charlemagne once said, “to have another language is to possess another soul.” So in this episode, let's talk about how to get you a great start of the journey of learning Chinese: getting a great Chinese name. Let’s talk about how to get a Chinese name, and most importantly, what makes your Chinese name great. Here's the opening lyrics: 银辉描淡的石桥 桥边嬉戏的垂髫 风吹枝柳折细腰 童谣声声伴长吆 The full version of the opening song could be found here with the full lyrics. And here is the Chinese surname ca...
Secret Weapon for Practicing Tones
November 03, 2021 18:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBIn this episode, let's talk about the secret weapon for practicing Chinese tones, classic poetry. For poems, tones are everything, they are like songs minus the music, they are beautiful and they rhyme, and not like modern poems that only rhyme at the end of verse, classic poems rhyme at every single character. So, here’s secret for how to use them for your benefit. The full version of the opening song could be found here with the full lyrics: You could contact me at [email protected]...
Skill Talk 2: Secret Weapon for Practicing Tones
November 03, 2021 18:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBIn this episode, let's talk about the secret weapon for practicing Chinese tones, classic poetry. For poems, tones are everything, they are like songs minus the music, they are beautiful and they rhyme, and not like modern poems that only rhyme at the end of verse, classic poems rhyme at every single character. So, here’s secret for how to use them for your benefit. The full version of the opening song could be found here with the full lyrics: You could contact me at [email protected]...
Skill Talk 1: Simplest Way to Master Chinese Tones
November 02, 2021 00:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBIn this episode, let's talk about what are Chinese tones, why are important, how to learn them, how to practice, and most importantly, how to master them. Here's the opening lyrics: 七月的风 八月的雨 卑微的我喜欢遥远的你 你的过去 无法参与 但我还是 喜欢你 The full version of the opening song could be found here with the full lyrics: You could contact me at [email protected].
Simplest Way to Master Chinese Tones
November 02, 2021 00:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBIn this episode, let's talk about what are Chinese tones, why are important, how to learn them, how to practice, and most importantly, how to master them. Here's the opening lyrics: 七月的风 八月的雨 卑微的我喜欢遥远的你 你的过去 无法参与 但我还是 喜欢你 The full version of the opening song could be found here with the full lyrics: You could contact me at [email protected].
Film Chinese Ep.2 : Never Say Die (2017 Comedy)
October 16, 2021 16:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBFull video version is available on Skillshare: https://skl.sh/3vuptpH You can also get a one month free premium access from the link. In this 2017 comedy, inspired by the 2015 modern drama, we are going to learn the following words and expressions. 1, 不是说好, didn’t we agree. 2, 倒下, collapse / 挺住, hold on. 3, 再, for expressing something goes to a higher degree. 4, 价钱, price. And a phrase for bargaining, 讨价还价. 5, 信誉, reputation 6, 假, fake / 真, authentic 7, 坐地起价, daylight robbery. 8, 厚道, hones...
Never Say Die (2017 Comedy)
October 16, 2021 16:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBFull video version is available on Skillshare: https://skl.sh/3vuptpH You can also get a one month free premium access from the link. In this 2017 comedy, inspired by the 2015 modern drama, we are going to learn the following words and expressions. 1, 不是说好, didn’t we agree. 2, 倒下, collapse / 挺住, hold on. 3, 再, for expressing something goes to a higher degree. 4, 价钱, price. And a phrase for bargaining, 讨价还价. 5, 信誉, reputation 6, 假, fake / 真, authentic 7, 坐地起价, daylight robbery. 8, 厚道, hones...
Film Chinese: Never Say Die (2017 Comedy)
October 16, 2021 16:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBFull video version is available on Skillshare: https://skl.sh/3vuptpH You can also get a one month free premium access from the link. In this 2017 comedy, inspired by the 2015 modern drama, we are going to learn the following words and expressions. 1, 不是说好, didn’t we agree. 2, 倒下, collapse / 挺住, hold on. 3, 再, for expressing something goes to a higher degree. 4, 价钱, price. And a phrase for bargaining, 讨价还价. 5, 信誉, reputation 6, 假, fake / 真, authentic 7, 坐地起价, daylight robbery. 8, 厚道, hones...
Detective Chinatown (2015)
October 07, 2021 13:00 - 13 minutes - 9.26 MBThe 2015 comedy, Detective Chinatown, is written with very natural dialogues, and it is a great source material for practicing daily conversations. In this lesson, we are going to learn: 1, How to construct a basic rhetorical question; 2, How to empathize emotions with various words; 3, Popular exclamatory phrases like, 别装了！and 神经病呀？ And much more fun stuff.
Film Chinese Ep.1: Detective Chinatown (2015 Comedy)
October 07, 2021 13:00 - 13 minutes - 9.26 MBFull video version is available on Skillshare: https://skl.sh/310lk1t You can also get a one month free premium access from the link. The 2015 comedy, Detective Chinatown, is written with very natural dialogues, and it is a great source material for practicing daily conversations. In this lesson, we are going to learn: 1, How to construct a basic rhetorical question; 2, How to empathize emotions with various words; 3, Popular exclamatory phrases like, 别装了！and 神经病呀？ And much more fun stuff.
Film Chinese: Detective Chinatown (2015 Comedy)
October 07, 2021 13:00 - 13 minutes - 9.26 MBFull video version is available on Skillshare: https://skl.sh/310lk1t You can also get a one month free premium access from the link. The 2015 comedy, Detective Chinatown, is written with very natural dialogues, and it is a great source material for practicing daily conversations. In this lesson, we are going to learn: 1, How to construct a basic rhetorical question; 2, How to empathize emotions with various words; 3, Popular exclamatory phrases like, 别装了！and 神经病呀？ And much more fun stuff.
Detective Chinatown (2015 Comedy)
October 07, 2021 13:00 - 13 minutes - 9.26 MBFull video version is available on Skillshare: https://skl.sh/310lk1t You can also get a one month free premium access from the link. The 2015 comedy, Detective Chinatown, is written with very natural dialogues, and it is a great source material for practicing daily conversations. In this lesson, we are going to learn: 1, How to construct a basic rhetorical question; 2, How to empathize emotions with various words; 3, Popular exclamatory phrases like, 别装了！and 神经病呀？ And much more fun stuff.